Re: social skills - I think a lot of you are forgetting that so far you've just been playing the beginning of the game where the majority of the enemies are undead. I just (successfully) negotiated via petpal and high charming ability with a very big *SPOILER* - she agreed to not eat me. I was too low level for her, so that was a good thing.
Exactly what I wanted to hear! Love having the option of talking my way out of situations.
